Fargo Systems has firmly established itself as a leader in logistics technology, seamlessly blending heritage and cutting-edge innovation. Through the development of TOPS Intelligence, Fargo Systems delivers forward-thinking, reliable, and exceptionally innovative solutions that set the industry standard. This commitment to integrating advanced AI ensures that TopsTMS® not only addresses current needs but also anticipates future challenges.
Commitment to AI and innovation
Fargo Systems’ Managing Director, Steve Collins, defines true AI as technology beyond pre-defined rules and algorithms, offering genuine learning capabilities. This philosophy is central to Fargo Systems’ approach, where the company has been developing intelligent solutions that automate complex problem-solving across the logistics industry.
AI Integration across the business
By integrating Copilot AI, Fargo Systems has embraced AI to enhance its development processes. It maintains rigorous human oversight to ensure accuracy and accountability for AI outcomes. Whilst continuing to develop our range of TOPS Intelligence tools
This tool is embedded within their Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and offers a range of features designed to streamline coding tasks, improve code quality, and boost productivity. Key functionalities include:
Automatic Documentation: Copilot generates in-code documentation, making complex methods easy to understand.
Unit Test Suggestions: Provides foundational elements for unit tests, reducing development time and improving code quality.
Context-Aware Coding Suggestions: Copilot offers intelligent code suggestions based on the project’s context, accelerating development.
Integrated Chat Assistant: This feature helps developers query the AI about code issues, enhancing debugging efficiency.
Steve Collins explains, “By leveraging these AI tools, Fargo Systems has increased productivity and standardised coding practices across its development team, ensuring that our developers maintain consistent and high-quality outputs.”
Fargo’s Future Developments in AI and TOPS Intelligence
Advanced Planning Data (APD)
Currently under development, APD aims to revolutionise resource allocation and planning within Fargo Systems. This TOPS Intelligence-driven tool will use anonymised and aggregated data to provide insightful suggestions for resource allocation, predict planning start times, and accurately estimate arrival and completion times based on historical trends.
Industry Visibility
Fargo Systems continues to enhance visibility across the supply chain. The company plans to offer detailed insights into container journeys from port to consumer by leveraging aggregated and anonymised data. These capabilities will provide crucial information about inland transport execution, whether merchant or carrier haul. This includes specifics such as locations, dates, and times, ensuring comprehensive visibility.
TOPS Intelligence
Believing that AI, in its truest definition, is a technology that goes beyond intelligence with learning capability, Steve continues, “If we can define a set of rules or an algorithm to automate problem-solving, this wouldn’t in the truest definition be AI. And this is where TopsTMS® comes into its own. Our development team delivers solutions by intellectually understanding customers’ issues, gathering intelligent data, and then developing logic and algorithms that are smart and intelligent and automating problem-solving across the industry.
“As intermodal specialists, TopsTMS® has been providing solutions for the complete intermodal supply chain, and Fargo’s systems currently manage, plan, and execute over five million jobs annually. While the numbers are impressive, our clients’ confidence is rooted in our history of innovation, data intelligence, and collaborative working.”
Offering features to meet the needs of this globalised industry; examples of how TopsTMS® supports Fargo’s customer base include:
TOPS Intelligence Twin and Reload Optimiser
This intelligent background process continuously searches for optimisation opportunities for 20ft container ‘twinning’ and import/export matching, tailored to each customer’s specific needs. It constantly suggests the best options to enhance efficiency.
TOPS Intelligence Smart Vendor Planning
TopsTMS® includes a tool that reviews vendors’ capabilities, geographical coverage, and service levels and suggests the most cost-effective transport plan. It also automates transport job allocation and cost rating, sends orders via API and email, and streamlines vendor management.
TOPS Intelligence Road and Rail Planning
TopsTMS® simplifies intermodal planning by automatically creating road legs for rail journeys, reducing planning and administrative tasks. It ensures complete visibility of multimodal transport requirements, enabling seamless execution and cost allocation within a single system.
TOPS Intelligence Port Logistics
This functionality integrates with port and third-party data providers to receive real-time vessel ETAs, arrival data, and customs notifications. It optimises quay management, plans off-dock storage, and monitors live GPS data, reducing costs and enhancing operational efficiency.
Steve Collins concludes, “Fargo Systems’ dedication to AI and innovative technology, exemplified by its development of TOPS Intelligence and integration of Copilot AI, positions us at the forefront of logistics software solutions. Our revolutionary approach ensures that TopsTMS® not only meets today’s industry needs but is prepared to tackle future challenges, making Fargo Systems a true leader in logistics technology.
Whilst the world ponders the potential and dangers of AI, and the term has become a technology catch-all, it’s essential to recognise the unique attributes that distinguish true AI from other intelligent technologies. AI’s ability to learn, adapt, and make autonomous decisions makes it a powerful tool for transforming industries and enhancing everyday life. But, by understanding what does not constitute AI, we can better appreciate the advancements of software innovations of companies such as us while also better understanding the potential of accurate artificial intelligence.”